When Marvel and ABC teased J. August Richards’ appearance in the first episode of “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” no one guessed that his character, Mike Peterson would turn out to be the first live action incarnation of Deathlok.
Within the world of the show, Mike was a former Centipede super soldier turned S.H.I.E.L.D. recruit who was practically a member of Agent Coulson’s (Clark Gregg) team before he was blackmailed into turning Coulson over to his former employers. In an attempt to save Coulson, Mike was caught in a massive explosion and thought to be dead. In reality, the Clairvoyant’s forces rebuilt Mike into Deathlok while forcing him to do their bidding.
Deathlok is slated to make his return in the April 1st episode of “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.;” which is titled “End of the Beginning.” Also making return appearances in that episode are S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents John Garrett (Bill Paxton), Antoine Triplett (B.J. Britt), Victoria Hand (Safron Burrows), Jasper Sitwell (Maximiliano Hernández) and Felix Blake (Titus Welliver).
ABC has released a few photos of Richards in costume as Deathlok, which you can see below. But this may not be the end of Mike Peterson’s transformation.
Share your thoughts on the new Deathlok costume in the comment section below!
Deathlok Comes To Agents of SHIELD
Meet The New Deathlok
The design of Deathlok's chest plate is kind of comic-book inspired, but not a direct translation of the character's original incarnation.
A Better Look At Deathlok
Another shot of Mike Peterson as Deathlok. This outfit seems to be downplaying his cyborg features.
Scars Make The Man
Mike Peterson's facial scarring came in the explosion that maimed him as he tried to save Coulson. Will Deathlok be vengeful when he encounters Coulson again?
Boxing Him In
I wonder if ABC's official photographer realized that the boxes in this photo distracts the viewer and they take the focus away from Deathlok.
The Original Model
For comparison's sake, this is what Deathlok looked like in Marvel's comic book universe. As you can see, the "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." Deathlok isn't completely faifthful to that look. But with a few enhancements, it could be...
